Rosemary Jane Koch

Rosemary Jane Koch, 88 years old of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2022.

Rosemary was born on May 11, 1934, in Wadena, Minnesota, to Leo and Rose Edinger.

Rosemary attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition in 1956.  She married Ensign William A. Koch on February 1, 1958, at the Naval Chapel in Long Beach, California. Rosemary enjoyed serving as a Gray Lady at the military hospitals on various naval bases and continued to volunteer at her local civilian hospitals later in life.  As a faithful Catholic, Rosemary was always volunteering her time in one way or another. She served as a principal for the Catholic Catechism Ministry, helped with various sodality activities and helped with serving the poor, both in the Church as well as the community.  In her later years, she woke up each morning and prayed the rosary.

Rosemary was also a gifted Navy wife, always entertaining and extending hospitality to fellow Navy couples as well as neighbors.  She and her husband travelled extensively during their "golden years" both in the US and abroad.  Visiting museums as well as historical and religious sites was a passion of hers. Through these experiences, Rosemary was inspired to paint and specialized in oil on canvas.

Rosemary is preceded in death by her husband, William A. Koch.

Rosemary is survived by her son, Gregory Koch, and her two daughters, Elizabeth Capehart and Catherine Osmera, as well as her grandchildren, Ashley, Nicole, Angela, Lindsey, Mary, Christina and Justin and great-grandchildren, Jayden, Leo, and Rosalie. 

The funeral service and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  An eight to twelve month delay is anticipated due to COVID.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ECCO (East Cooper Community Outreach), where Rosemary volunteered in her later years. Donations are accepted online at ECCOCharleston.org. 

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.